Chapter 25: Suspicions

There was no doubt that what started out as fake was now becoming real for Arthur. It took him almost an hour at the library to come down from cloud nine; he tried and tried to stop thinking about Rachel and spend more time thinking about the bar review materials he was supposed to be studying, but without success so far.

“She’s driving me to distraction,” he thought remembering all the highlights of their “for appearances only” date night.

Just as he pulled out his laptop to look at his legal outlines, he could not resist looking her up online. Falling for her now did not erase his healthy curiosity that she was not exactly the average girl next door type.

“If she is rich, then that wealth must have an online presence somewhere,” he reasoned. “Let’s find out exactly who this young lady is.”

He tried search after search of her using different search engines. One hour, then two, and finally three hours passed and there was no webpage, image, blog, or any other social media connection that he could find. Arthur thought it was odd not to find anything; and that made him not merely curious, but suspicious.

“She’s either so well off that her wealth could buy her complete anonymity, or she’s making up the entire story in order to have a more interesting experience abroad,” he slammed his laptop shut, upset that he had spent so much irretrievable, invaluable study time on finding out more about his pseudo-girlfriend and the things she had not told him yet.

He also felt bad that he did not trust what she said, but was even more suspicious of what she failed to say. Maybe it was due to his legal training. But if she had something to hide by omission, he would find out what it was sooner or later as they got to know each other better, no matter what the pretense or how challenging she would make it for him for whatever her reasons.

###

He decided that he’d go on a walk to clear his head. He had no specific destination in mind, but he found himself at the bakery ten minutes later.

He popped his head in and saw Faye at the cash register.

“Hey, Stranger, long time no see.”

He went over and gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek.

“Yeah, Miss Faye. The law is a jealous mistress, so they say.”

“Something tells me that you’re not just here on a coffee break.”

He smiled, then looked away, trying not to be too transparent.

“I wanted to say hello to your Assistant Manager.”

“She’s working a split shift today, bless her heart. She has truly been a godsend. And helpful, oh so helpful, just like you were when you would come by and help out.”

“I’m not seeking an employment reference, I was on a break, out and about, and thought I’d say ‘hi’. I was in the neighborhood.”

“Right, Arthur. Please tell me that you will be better at representing your clients in a more convincing and truthful manner. We wouldn’t want Oxford University to take your diploma back. After 800 years, there could always be a first time,” she winked at him.

“Okay. Okay. I might as well get a coffee since I’m here.”

“Of course. Service with a smile. Mine, not hers. Oh well. The next time, perhaps.”

He wasn’t sure if he should take it to go or sit and wait to see her. He didn’t have the luxury of time to be able to wait another few hours trying to study at the loud bakery or even skip studying altogether and be actively engaged in expectant waiting alone. He decided he would take it to go, to get back to the library and his pre-Rachel commitment to passing the two bar exams on his first try.

He stopped past the park on his way back to the library; he was hoping to catch a glimpse of her eating lunch, but had no such luck.

###

Once back at the library, refreshed from the walk and re-energized by his cup of strong, fresh, coffeehouse coffee, he sat down to study. He was finally able to get started on the materials on evidence and abandon his fruitless search for the lovely Rachel.

“Hello patrons,” he heard from the librarian on the loudspeaker.

“What now?” he said to himself.

“The library will be closing early today for staff development. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

“Staff development?” he wondered, wanting to scream at the top of his lungs, “I’m the only patron. I’m completely self-sufficient and satisfied being left alone to study. And they feel they need ‘staff development’? For what?”

He angrily packed up his materials and chalked it all up to a day of progress lost with his studies. Today it was not meant to be no matter how disciplined he tried to be.

He headed home to spend some time with his grandma before locking himself away in his bedroom for a long night studying. No date, either fake or real, tonight to look forward to, unfortunately.

###

He smelled the zucchini-chocolate chip bread from outside before he entered the house.

“Mmm, “ he said. “Someone’s been baking.”

“You’re right about that, grandson, but this time it wasn’t me. It was Rachel and you just missed her.”

“Not in the cards today,” he mumbled and hugged his grandma’s neck.

“What’s that, Sweets?”

“Oh nothing, Grandma. I don’t mean to be rude, but I have gotten absolutely nothing of merit done today. I. need. to. study,” he said, betrayed for the first time by anxiety related to his ambitious goal.

“That’s fine. I understand. Remember not to forget the wee little ones who knew ya’ way back when...” she said and then grinned at him.

“You are unforgettable for so many reasons, Grandma.”

“It looks like I’m not the only one who is unforgettable,” she responded.

“That’s pure hearsay and you can’t believe it without going directly to the source,” he teased her, then ran up the stairs two steps at a time.

“I just did,” she called up after him.